Cole Hardy drove his No.7c to a third-place finish at Ohsweken to cement the inaugural Insta-Panels Duel on the Dirt Mini Stock title. (Photo by Dale Calnan/Image Factor Media).

By Clayton Johns

OHSEKEN, Ont. (August 14, 2018) – The Insta-Panels Duel on the Dirt Series has its first champion of the 2018 season. The mini-series that encompasses the Street Stock and Mini Stock divisions at five different Ontario short tracks is a long-standing tradition in the province and is in its first season with title sponsor Insta-Panels. The inaugural Insta-Panels Duel on the Dirt Mini Stock championship wrapped up last Friday night at Ohsweken Speedway and saw Cole Hardy claim the title.

In 2018, Humberstone, Merrittville and Ohsweken participated in the inaugural Mini Stock series as the three tracks were all on the same rules. Entering the final race of the series on Friday, August 10, Alex Riley led the Duel on the Dirt Mini Stock standings.

Riley took the lead in the final race on lap 21 after Bobby Tolton surrendered the top spot after suffering a flat right-rear and making contact with the outside wall. Riley’s luck ended only four laps later on lap 26 when he slowed and gave up the lead to eventual winner Jason Tolton.

The beneficiary was Cole Hardy, who battled up front all race long and drove to a third-place finish in the 42-lap Art Hill Memorial. Hardy was also eighth in the July 1 combined race at Humberstone and third at Merrittville, his home track, on July 28.

Second in the standings was Jay Moulton, who was the runner-up in the final race at Ohsweken, while Riley settled for third to sweep the podium for Merrittville regulars. Humberstone driver Leroy Buscumb claimed the fourth spot while Ohsweken pilot Matt Nuell rouned out the top-five. Vincent Pagnotta, Jeremy May, Kyle Rothwell, Daniel McKay and Sam Iftody rounded out the top-10.

In all, the inaugural Duel on the Dirt Mini Stock series was a resounding success. When the final checkered flag waved, a total of 13 drivers competed in all three combined races while 60 drivers attempted to qualify for at least one home track or combined race.

Street Stock Championship Coming Up

The Insta-Panels Duel on the Dirt Street Stock championship will heat up in a couple of weeks as the second Combined Race of the series takes place as part of a double header weekend on Friday, September 7 at Ohsweken Speedway for the 50-lap Brock Leonard Memorial and on Saturday, September 8 at Merrittville Speedway for another 50-lap showdown. The Insta-Panels Duel on the Dirt Street Stocks Series champion will then be crowned on Saturday, September 22 at Brighton Speedway for the final 50-lap special. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.duelonthedirt.com.

About the Insta-Panels Duel on the Dirt Series: The Insta-Panels Duel on the Dirt Series is a challenge series for dirt Street Stock (V8) and Mini Stock (4-Cyl) drivers. The Series is supported by five Ontario home tracks, including Brighton Speedway, Humberstone Speedway, Merrittville Speedway, Ohsweken Speedway and South Buxton Speedway. Each track hosts two ‘home track’ races for points before running ‘combined events’ to determine the top Street Stock and Mini Stock driver in the province. For more information, including a full schedule of events, points and a purse, visit www.duelonthedirt.com.

About Insta-Panels: INSTA-PANELS® INSTA-PANELSTM are insulated R11 foam panels made of rigid polyurethane foam, covered in steel or fiberglass on both sides. Because of their durability, high ‘R’ value and ease of installation they are ideal for residential, commercial and agricultural applications where insulation is required or desired in radiant or traditional concrete floors. INSTAPANELS ™ can be used in a variety of applications including: under concrete floors of houses; garages; commercial workshops; warehouses; office buildings; cold storage and freezers; agricultural drive sheds; poultry barns; and other specialized applications. To find out why insulation the ground with Insta-Panels works, visit www.instapanels.ca.